A water bore in Wainuioru that services 127 connections has been put on a naughty list by water authority Taumata Arowai due to it lacking a treatment barrier to prevent protozoa contamination.
However, those managing the scheme stress that, as of now, there is no unforeseen risk to those drinking the water.
The list was produced in response to the less-than-ideal situation in Queenstown that’s resulted in locals becoming sick and a boil water notice being issued due to contaminated water.
Cryptosporidium is a parasitic protozoan that can cause stomach issues and even be life-threatening for those with weaker immune systems.
To ensure it isn’t in a water supply, water must be treated with a protozoa barrier that combines filtration with UV treatment.
The list indicates there are 27 councils nationwide operating 84 drinking water supplies that lack an adequate protozoa defence.
One of those is Masterton District Council’s Wainuioru scheme, which was established in the early 1980s as a water supply for stock.
Since then, the use of the scheme for human consumption has grown, and it currently services 127 connections from east of Masterton to the Wainuioru area.
A council spokesperson said it is entirely separate from Masterton’s urban supply, which is treated at the Kaituna water treatment plant.
“As the water scheme is designed to supply stock water, no treatment is applied,” the spokesperson said.
“A permanent boil water notice is in place for people consuming the water, and it is recommended that people have UV filters installed.”
Taumata Arowai’s list noted that the water comes from a shallow bore, with a depth of less than 30 metres.
While the scheme is owned by the council, it is managed by a committee elected by members of the scheme.
The council spokesperson noted that a new bore was established in the past six months, and systems are in place to alert members of the scheme if any contamination is detected.
The water is tested quarterly by the council to meet Regional Public Health recommendations.
The spokesperson said the council is “considering how best to support the committee to meet the requirements of Taumata Arowai”.
Committee chair Guy Williams said he has absolutely no concerns about the quality of the water.
“We have a water safety plan in place, and we have our protocols,” said Williams.
“If there’s a break in the pipe, chlorine is added to the water and the tank, and the water’s then tested to see what the deal is.”
Williams cited a broken pipe incident a month ago that saw the scheme turned off and fixed within two hours.
There are two bores connected to the scheme as a safety contingent, so if there is a problem with one, the other may be used.
Williams said the committee is working with Tamatai Arowai and the council on how to move forward.
“We are waiting to hear what the specifications are for the UV filter treatments that would need to be installed,” he said.
“A plan needs to be practical and compliant.”
Williams said a positive relationship with the council in the past gives him confidence that they will come to a reasonable solution.
Taumata Arowai said that it expects protozoa barriers for bore water sources to be operational by the end of next year.
